Images

Classifications

F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING

F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING

F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION

F42B10/00—Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding

F42B10/60—Steering arrangements

F42B10/62—Steering by movement of flight surfaces

F42B10/64—Steering by movement of flight surfaces of fins

Description

The present invention relates generally to a launched projectile, and more particularly to a two-dimensional correction system and method for correcting distance and deflection errors in a projectile stabilized by unguided spins or fins.

Modern warfare is based on the speed at which missions are performed, high kill per shot, and the potential for minor low damage. This requires high accuracy. Unguided shells follow ballistic trajectories, which are generally predictable, but are actually over 20 miles due to atmospheric conditions, wind, speed and direction, temperature and precipitation conditions, and various changes in weapon systems. There is a large error in distance. Changes in weapon systems include manufacturing errors, gun barrel conditions, propellant temperature, and cannon installation errors. As the ballistic distance increases, the potential impact of the projectile changes increases and eventually reduces the degree of killing obtained by the projectile so that it cannot effectively perform the artillery mission.

High costs are required to improve the accuracy of such weapons. For fully guided fires like ERGM, XM982, AGS LRLAP, the price will be between $ 25,000.00 and $ 40,000.00. These methods are essentially firing-guided missiles that use GPS / IMU technology to accurately guide the missile to the target. Such expensive systems are not suitable for retrofitting millions of shells in existing inventory or for incorporating into the design of new cannons.

What is needed is a system that can correct the trajectory of a projectile that is flying more easily and cheaper than a guided projectile. The system can preferably be used to retrofit an existing inventory. The system must be safe against electronic interference similar to the combat environment. The system must have improved accuracy and be able to be used effectively for targets where the corrected projectile is at a distance of 20 miles or more.

A number of configurations have been developed, typically as modifications to the fuze kit. This is a category of a one-dimensional correction device that is a kit that corrects either a downward error or a horizontal error, and a two-dimensional correction device that is a kit that corrects both a downward error and a horizontal error. are categorized. Further, the two-dimensional correction device is a kit fixed to the main body (in this case, the kit rotates together with the projectile body) or an uncoupled kit (in this case, the rotation speed of the kit is different from that of the projectile body). Can be configured). An uncoupled 2D kit requires a roll bearing so that the two elements are not coupled.

A one-dimensional descent error correction device is deployed to increase a projectile's air resistance by operating by evaluating the decrement of a given descent distance and a brake that changes the trajectory of the projectile's trajectory. It has. This is a one-time deployment decision. This brake cannot be adjusted when atmospheric conditions change. Although the brake is easy to configure, it is affected by the left / right distance error (~ 100DEP) and this error is not reduced. This brake requires some modification to the ballistic launch table because the projectile must be aimed to pass the target. This brake is suitable when the truth (current projectile position) is supplied either by GPS or a data link from an external tracking source. See US Pat. No. 6,310,335 for an example of a 1D descending distance correction device.

The one-dimensional left-right error correction device operates by evaluating the adjustment of the distance in the left-right direction when a decrease in the average rotational speed of the projectile changes the trajectory of the projectile's trajectory. This is a one-time deployment decision. The system cannot be adjusted when atmospheric conditions change. A single deployment of a fin or canard is easy to enforce, but the downward error (> 100 mREP) is not reduced. Since the projectile is off the intended target but is close to the target, the ballistic launch table requires some modification. This method is compatible when the truth is supplied by either GPS or a data link from an external tracking source.

The above two concepts are used together to construct a two-dimensional correction device (see US Pat. No. 6,502,786) that changes the trajectory of the projectile's trajectory. Each mechanism performs the appropriate deployment decision independently. Each one makes a separate deployment decision individually. If atmospheric conditions change after deployment, the system cannot be adjusted. While this is an easily feasible system, the ballistic launch table used for operation needs to be substantially changed.

The uncoupled two-dimensional correction device operates by evaluating both the downward and leftward adjustments by evaluation when a change in the average attack angle of the projectile is performed. This can be corrected continuously. These systems are bulky in mechanism to operate without being coupled, and the mold line outside the fuse can not follow the NATO STANAG shape, so a new ballistic launch table is necessary to use for operation, which is a difficult task It is. This system is also compatible when the truth is supplied by either GPS or a data link from an external tracking source. Reference is made to US Pat. Nos. 5,512,537, 5,775,636, and 5,452,864 as examples of two-dimensional left and right correction devices.

There is an urgent need to provide a two-dimensional correction device that can accurately correct both inherent distance and deflection errors in unguided spin-stabilized projectiles without having to change the ballistic launch table Sex exists. This corrector must be simple, reliable, low power, inexpensive, and capable of being retrofitted to existing projectiles.

The present invention can be used with existing ballistic launch tables, both inherent distance and deflection errors in unguided spin or fin stabilized projectiles that can be modified with existing projectiles. A two-dimensional corrector system is provided to accurately correct the image.

This is because the aerodynamic surface is developed intermittently to generate a rotational moment, and the rotational moment is applied to the projectile body in two dimensions to correct the projectile in the ballistic trajectory. This is achieved by generating a lifting force. For projectiles with low rotational speed (projectiles stabilized by fins), the rotational moment can cause the projectile body to generate an ascending force to move the projectile. A high rotational speed projectile (spin stabilization) can generate a very large orthogonal precession, thereby generating a lifting force in the projectile body to drive the projectile.

The aerodynamic surface allows the projectile to be moved up and down or left and right until it is properly deployed in the exact on (deployed) and off (retracted) positions throughout the cycle to restore the desired trajectory trajectory. Drive in direction. Full up / down and left / right control in all directions allows the use of existing launch tables. The fuse kit is modified with a simple deployment mechanism and a pair of canards to retrofit an existing projectile. The two-dimensional correction device can be configured as a kit that is fixed or not coupled to the body of the projectile, and can be fixed or variable canard angle or attack angle, fixed or proportional canard expansion, continuous or timed relative to the target. It can be configured as a window control and an arrangement of front, middle, and tail canards.

In an exemplary embodiment, a two-dimensional correction device secured to the projectile body is included in a pair of pivot mounted canards and a fuze kit modified for mounting on a standard projectile. And a deployment mechanism such as a voice coil having a centripetal spring. The canard is held at a fixed attack angle, stored or fully deployed. When stored, the canard does not affect the trajectory. When deployed, the canard generates a rotational motion that drives the projectile to provide a lifting force. A truth receiver such as a GPS or data link is included in the electronics portion of the kit and provides the current location of the projectile. The flight computer evaluates the lateral and vertical vector deviations relative to the target detected immediately after launch and when passing the highest point, and when and how many times canards must be deployed and stowed during a partial rotation cycle Is accurately determined and the deployment mechanism is controlled accordingly. The flight computer keeps the projectile in its ballistic trajectory with continuous control over the target of intermittent deployment, or initially adjusts by the time window for lateral changes, After passing the point, adjustments are made for changes in the vertical direction, and then adjustments are made in both cases if necessary due to the allowable power amount again at a certain time.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is used with existing ballistic launch tables, both inherent distance and deflection errors in unguided spin-stable or fin-stable projectiles (cannonballs, missiles, EKVs, etc.) that are retrofitted to existing projectiles. Provided is a two-dimensional correction system that accurately corrects. This is accomplished by intermittently deploying the aerodynamic surface to generate a rotational moment, which creates a lifting force on the projectile body and returns the projectile to its ballistic trajectory. Force is applied to the projectile in two dimensions. In a spin stable projectile, the rotational moment causes a very large orthogonal precession, thereby moving the projectile. The aerodynamic surface is properly deployed in precise on (deployed) and off (stored) positions during multiple partial rotation cycles during that cycle until the desired ballistic trajectory is restored Drive the projectile in range or left and right range.

As shown in FIG. 1, the unguided spin-stabilized projectile 10 includes a steel vessel 12 and an explosive warhead 14. The fuse kit 16 is screwed into the container. A standard fuze kit includes a fuze, a safety and arm mechanism, a battery, a starting coil, and a flight computer. The high rotation speed projectile is geometrically stabilized by the rotation of the projectile itself. Low rotational speed projectiles are stabilized by adding fins to the airframe. Since it is modified to perform two-dimensional correction, the fusible kit will have at least one canard 18 (shown here in its deployed position), deployment mechanism, and launch on the ballistic trajectory to the target. A Truth receiver that provides body position and velocity vectors. In general, this design allows different types of fuse kits, such as timed fuses, impact fuses, delayed impact fuses, to be used with standard vessels and warheads. By including a two-dimensional correction in the fuse kit, millions of projectiles in stock can be easily modified. The two-dimensional correction device can be configured as a kit fixed to the main body or as a kit that is not combined, and can be fixed or variable canard angle or attack angle, fixed or proportional canard expansion, continuous or time window with respect to the target. And the canard position of the front, center, or tail of the projectile body can be selected.

As shown in the cross-sectional view (FIGS. 2a and 2b) of the modified fuze kit 16 and the system block diagram (FIG. 3), the modified fuze kit 16 includes a starting coil 20, an HOB sensor 22, and Standard functions provided by the flight computer 24, detonator 26, safety and arm device 28, booster charge 30, and battery 32. The starter coil 20 functions as an AC-coupled input port through which soldiers can quickly, roughly and safely program fuze explosion commands into the flight computer 24. For example, an explosion in an impact, an explosion x seconds before the impact, an explosion when the altitude is lower than y feet, and the like. The HOB sensor 22 provides information such as altitude to the flight computer that initiates the explosion sequence. The projectile, illustrated as typical of many projectiles, contains three separate explosives. That is, the explosive warhead 14, the detonator 26, which is a lead wire explosive that does not have sufficient energy to explode the explosive warhead, and the booster charge 30 that has sufficient energy to explode the explosive warhead. . To prevent accidental explosion, the detonator 26 and the booster charge 30 are separated by a safety and arm device 28. Normally, the safety and arm device 28 is rotated 90 degrees to isolate the detonator 26 from the booster charge 30. The flight computer initiates the explosion by the safety and rotation of the arm device 28, thereby providing a passage from the detonator 26 to the booster charge 30. Immediately thereafter, the flight computer explodes the detonator 26 to deliver sparks and flames safely and through the arm device 28 to explode the booster charge 30, thereby burning sufficient energy at high temperatures, causing the explosive warhead 14 Be ignited.

The modified fuze kit 16 further includes a canard 18 and a deployment mechanism 34 mounted on at least one pivot. The flight computer 24 comprises a truth receiver 25, such as a GPS receiver, and is programmed to control the intermittent deployment of the canard 18 to drive the projectile into a ballistic trajectory.

In the exemplary embodiment, deployment mechanism 34 includes a voice coil 36 and a surface force magnet 38 on the canard. The flight computer 24 generates an alternating control command signal, and the control command signal energizes the voice coil 36 to generate an electromagnetic field, which acts on the permanent magnetic field of the surface force magnet 38 to generate a repulsive force. As shown in FIG. 2a, the canard is driven outward and moved to the unfolded position as shown in FIG. 2b, and then a suction force is generated to draw the canard inward. Move to the storage position. Other mechanisms such as water pressure, airflow or combinations thereof may be used for canard deployment. The voice coil mechanism is particularly attractive because it provides both the precise control required for intermittent deployment and storage of canards and the efficiency required to operate with stringent power consumption constraints. The canard is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position, or may be deployed proportionally to change the amount of force acting on the projectile.

To further increase power efficiency, the deployment mechanism 34 includes a centripetal spring 40 that balances the centrifugal force on the canard caused by the rotation of the projectile. Without a spring, the voice coil 36 is very inefficient because it must be maintained in a biased state to generate a suction force to prevent the canard from expanding. However, the centrifugal force decreases as the rotational speed decreases. As a result, at low rotational speed, the voice coil must generate a large repulsive force corresponding to the difference between centrifugal force and centripetal force, thus reducing power efficiency. To solve this problem, the deployment spring 42 is unlocked when the rotational speed falls below a threshold value for the centripetal spring 40. Ideally the voice coil 36 is only needed when canards are energized for deployment and storage, providing only enough force to accelerate their mass and not greater than centrifugal or centripetal force Must do so.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to generate the elevation angle of the projectile line of sight 50, it must be angled with respect to the wind. The inclination of the canard 18 at an angle δ produces a larger rising angle of the effective mounting angle α δ = α + δ. To simplify the canard, the angle δ can be variable to provide another degree of control, but is fixed at a suitable value. Since the rotation of the projectile produces an apparent window angle, a lifting force can be generated even if the canard angle is zero.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flight computer intermittently deploys and retracts the aerodynamic surface to generate a rotational moment, which generates a lifting force on the body to modify the projectile's trajectory trajectory. To move the projectile in two dimensions. Because these technologies use the physical rotation of the projectile, physical control of the projectile's flight trajectory by generating a retaining force to reduce the normal projectile's speed or reduce the projectile's rotational speed It is effective compared with a normal air brake. This technique is more efficient and more accurate.

As shown in FIG. 5a, the canard 18 has a canard (mass m) inclined in the negative direction of the Y axis to generate a rotational moment V60 in the XY plane, and instantaneously in the XZ plane. It shows the physical state of the deployed control system. The spin-stabilized projectile 58 has a high rotational speed Ω 62 centered on the X axis, and in response to a Coriolis acceleration F c , ie, F c = −2 mV × Ω, as a first order approximation, the XZ plane. Responds to the rotational moment V60 in the XY plane by precession 64 in FIG. The command and resulting body angles Φ cmd and Φ body are measured with respect to each other and are 0 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively. The amount of precession caused by the physical rotation of the projectile is. This is a very efficient technique since it is >> 100 times the rotational moment. Therefore, it is possible to position the projectile in the ballistic trajectory very quickly by deploying the canard.

As shown in FIG. 5b, the canard 18 has a canard tilted in the negative direction of the Y axis to generate a moment of rotation V68 in the XY plane, and the control developed instantaneously in the XY plane. Indicates the physical state of the system. The fin-stabilized projectile 70 has a low rotational speed 72 about the X axis and responds to a rotational moment 68 in the XY plane by rotation 74 in the XY plane as a first order approximation. The command and resulting body angles Φ cmd and Φ body are measured with respect to each other and are 0 degrees and 0 degrees, respectively. Although not as efficient as precession generation, this method is still an improvement over conventional air brakes that use traction to control the projectile. It is therefore possible to position the projectile in a trajectory very quickly by deploying the canard.

As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the canard is not instantaneously deployed and stored, and cannot be instantaneously expanded and stored. In fact, canards are deployed and housed properly within a single quadrant over multiple partial rotation cycles of the projectile and precessed or moved in the desired direction to cause vertical or lateral errors in the projectile's trajectory. Correct. Deployment over the full rotation cycle eliminates precession and results in simple traction. As shown in FIG. 6a, the flight computer generates a command signal 80 at the correct time to move the canard to the expanded state 82, cancels the command at the correct time, and stores the canard 84. Move to. The flight computer generates command signals over multiple cycles until the projectile moves to the desired trajectory, and when the projectile moves to the trajectory, the canard is in the stowed state until further correction is required. Stay. FIG. 6A shows a command signal flow centered on the roll axis. The signal causes the projectile body motion 86 in a direction perpendicular to the average force.

Intermittent deployment is performed in a combined manner in order to balance the requirements for complete and accurate two-dimensional control of the projectile with a limited realistic amount of allowable power. FIG. 7 shows the ballistic trajectory 90 of the projectile in the base frame 92. The projectile 94 is fired according to a standard launch table for its projectile, distance, wind conditions, etc. A high rotation speed, rotating clockwise, causes a natural precession to the right, causing it to turn to the left of the target. As shown, the projectile ballistic trajectory 90 has a statistical dispersion range 96, which is typical for 14Km launches based on various projectile launch conditions, wind and other environmental changes. Furthermore, ± 150 m for the vertical direction and ± 50 m for the horizontal direction. In order to use an existing launch table, the two-dimensional control mechanism is (a) adjustable for all four directions and (b) the entire guidance correction area 98 including the projectile dispersion range 96. Must be able to provide.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary control sequence in which the flight computer 24 intermittently deploys the canard to drive the projectile into its trajectory. The flight computer is initialized (step 100), loaded with mission data and powered up by batteries when fired from the cannon (step 102). Shortly after launch, a vector evaluation of the left-right range is performed by comparing the current position and altitude of the projectile as given by the GPS / IMU system against the target coordinates according to the launch table (step 104), It is determined whether correction is necessary (step 106). The flight computer checks to determine if the highest point has been detected (step 108). If the highest point is detected, the flight computer evaluates the distance based on the current ballistic trajectory (step 110), calculates the vertical range error estimate (step 112), and determines whether correction is necessary. (Step 114). The flight computer generates the appropriate roll vector for the command to generate the desired projectile body precession (step 116), and then controls the canard to expand in increments ΔV, typically one quadrant. To start the exact time and drive the projectile back to the ballistic trajectory. The canard is deployed repeatedly until the projectile returns to its ballistic trajectory. If the highest point is not detected, the flight computer controls to correct only the lateral error.

As shown in FIG. 9a, weapon system 120 launches projectile 122 on ballistic trajectory 124 toward target 126 according to an existing launch table. The flight computer is powered up at time T1 immediately after launch and continuously controls the rest of the flight until the projectile collides with the target. This method provides maximum control but requires continuous power to determine and implement the necessary corrections. Instead, as shown in FIG. 9b, the flight computer is powered up to a time increment ΔT1 slightly after launch to make an initial adjustment for left-right changes, and with a time increment ΔT2 after the highest point. The first adjustment is made for the change in the vertical direction, and then the target is corrected with the time increment ΔT3 again (or a plurality of times) at a certain time. This method requires proper control, but uses less power.

The two-dimensional correction system has been described in detail with reference to specific designs for spin stable projectiles and modified fuse kits, but is equally applicable to missile, EKV, and other fin stable weapon systems It is. As shown in FIG. 10a, the fuselage 130 has a tail 132 for stability. In this case, the fuze kit performs the correction by developing the surface as a wing 134 in the central body structure 136. In the example shown in FIG. 10b, the fuselage 140 has a tail 142 for stability. In this case, the fuse kit is corrected with the wings 144 in the tail structure 146 configured as surfaces and deployed.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, many modifications and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although the present invention has been described for a fusible kit secured to a projectile body, it can also be configured in a non-coupled form. Such modifications and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shell having a modified fuze kit having a two-dimensional body fixing correction system according to the present invention.Sectional drawing of a modified fuze kit having a voice coil and a centripetal spring mechanism for intermittently deploying a canard to perform two-dimensional correction.Block diagram of a modified fuze kit.Explanatory drawing of the execution attack angle of the deformed fuze kit and canard when unfolded.A moment diagram showing the response of high and low rotational speed projectiles to the generation of rotational moments by canard deployment.The characteristic diagram of the control signal in a time domain and a posture domain.The two-dimensional characteristic diagram of the corrected ballistic trajectory and projectile dispersion.The flowchart which shows use of a two-dimensional correction system.FIG. 3 is an illustration of a projectile's two-dimensional corrected ballistic trajectory using continuous control over a target.FIG. 5 is an illustration of a projectile's two-dimensional corrected ballistic trajectory using time window control for a target.The figure which shows the two-dimensional correction system comprised as the wing | blade and tail wing | blade of the main body intermediate part.

Claims (10)

In a method of correcting distance and deflection errors in a rotating projectile (10) stabilized by unguided spins or by fins, Projectiles being rotated, to determine the deviation that put in the vertical direction (112) and the left-right direction (104) from a ballistic trajectory desired, One or more on projectile is rotating (18) of the aerodynamic surface is intermittently deployed and housing (118) generates a rotation moment (60, 72), and the rotation to the rotation moment A distance and deflectionthat causes the projectile to react to generate a rising force of the projectile body and cause the projectile to move in the vertical and horizontal directions to move the projectile to the desired trajectory (90). Error correction method.

The method of any preceding claim, wherein the aerodynamic surface is deployed (82) and stowed (84) in a plurality of partial roll cycles (80) of a projectile.

The projectile has a high rotational speed and precesses in the left and right and up and down directions on the projectile body in a plane perpendicular to the average rotational moment (60) generated by the development of the aerodynamic surface. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein (64) is performed.

The aerodynamic surface is deployed intermittently during the first time window (T1) to correct the deviation in the left-right direction immediately after launch, and the deviation in the up-down direction immediately after the projectile passes the highest point. The third time window (T3) is used to correct the deviation in the left and right directions and the up and down direction during the period until the target is reached after being intermittently developed during the second time window (T2) for correction. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method is intermittently deployed.

In a two-dimensional correction device for correcting distance and deflection errors in a rotating projectile (10) stabilized by unguided spins or by fins, One or more aerodynamic surfaces (18) on a rotating projectile movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; A deployment mechanism (34) for moving the aerodynamic surface between a stowed position and a deployed position; A receiving device (25) for receiving position information of the projectile; Determine the deviation from the desired ballistic trajectory (90) in the vertical and horizontal directions and control the deployment mechanism (34) to intermittently deploy the one or more aerodynamic surfaces (82, 84) And a flight computer (24) for generating a rotational moment (60, 72), The rotating projectile reacts to the rotational moment to generate a rising force in the projectile body, and the projectile is driven in the left and right directions and the up and down direction to move the projectile to a desired ballistic trajectory. A two-dimensional correction device configured as described above.

The deployment mechanism includes a voice coil (36), 6. A two-dimensional correction device according to claim 5, comprising a permanent magnet (38) on each of the one or more aerodynamic surfaces.

The deployment mechanism further includes: A centripetal spring (40) that substantially cancels centrifugal forces on the one or more aerodynamic surfaces generated by rotation of the projectile; 7. A deployment spring (42) that is unlocked to partially cancel the force of the centripetal spring when rotation of the projectile drops below a predetermined speed. 2D correction device.

6. The two-dimensional correction device according to claim 5, wherein the aerodynamic surface, the deployment mechanism, the receiving device and the flight computer are integrated in a fusible kit (16) for use by a projectile.

6. The two-dimensional correction device of claim 5, wherein the aerodynamic surface is deployed and stored during a plurality of partial roll cycles of the projectile.

The projectile has a high rotational speed, whereby the projectile body is aged in the left-right and up-down directions on a plane perpendicular to the average rotational moment (60) generated by the development of the aerodynamic surface. 6. The two-dimensional correction device according to claim 5, wherein a differential motion (64) is performed.